Mixing and metering valve assembly



Nov. 26, 1957 K. B. CARR ETAL 2,314,471

MIXING AND METERING VALVE ASSEMBLY Filed May 24, 1954 2 She ets-Sheet 1 ZL'LL s 5. awe 4/42 w 2. SP/NDLA'Q INVENTORS Nov. 26, 1957 K. B. CARR ETAL 2,814,471

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' INVENTORS United States Patent@ 2,814,471 v I MlXlNG AND METERING VALVE ASSEMBLY Kelly B. Carr, Los Angeles, and Marvin R. Spindler, Lynwood, Calif., assignors to Techkote Companyjncorporatcd, Inglewood, Calif., a corporation of California Application May 24, 1954, Serial No. 431,884 3 Claims. (Cl. 259-4) This invention relates to a mixing and metering valve assembly and is particularly directed to a portable device having a plurality of valve units for mixing materials adjacent the point of use.

This invention is useful in a device for mixing a plurality of liquid or plastic materials in proportions and at flow rates which may be regulated during the mixing operation. As an illustrative example, a portable device embodying this invention may be used to mix an emulsion and an emulsion-breaking material at a location adjacent the point of use. Thus, an asphalt-latex emulsion may be mixed under pressure with an emulsionbreaking liquid to form a joint sealing compound, which compound is immediately extruded into the joint to be filled.

vIn the construction of concrete highways and airport runways it is common practice to pour a continuous slab without joints. Narrow slots are then cut or formed by suitable tools in the upper surface of the concrete. The purpose of this procedure is to cause any cracking which may occur in the concrete under forces of thermal expansion or contraction to be confined to the weakened zones below such slots. Suitable sealing compounds are then placed in the prepared joint openings. A satisfactory joint sealing compound is described in the Journal of the American Concrete Institute, column 18, No. 4, part 11, December 1946, pages 580486.

The introduction of such compounds into the prepared joint opening has been attended with considerable difliculty. It has been the practice to mix small batches of asphalt-latex water emulsion with a breaker such as sodium silico fluoride. The resulting compound is then poured into the slots, but this is a troublesome, slow and generally unsatisfactory operation because the compound is beginning to set-up or harden and does not pour easily, particularly into a narrow slot. The maximum quantity that can be batch-mixed is thus limited by the ability to place the mixture in the slots before it becomes too viscous to pour.

In accordance with our invention we provide a mixing and metering valve assembly which mixes the basic material and activator under pressure and extrudes the resulting compound through a nozzle shaped to fit into the narrow slot in the concrete. In this way batch-mixing is avoided, and the sealing compound fills the slot from the bottom up, thereby ensuring that the slot is completely filled. Furthermore we provide means whereby the rate of flow of sealing compound material from the device may be regulated while the slot filling operation is in progress. We also provide means whereby the ratio of emulsion-breaking material may be changed at will. The device embodying our invention is relatively small and light in weight so that it may readily be transported and moved along the slot in the concrete.

As another example, synthetic rubbers or synthetic resins may be mixed with a polymerization catalyst at a location immediately in advance of a spray nozzle, so that the mixture may be sprayed without delay.

Other objects and advantages will appear hereinafter. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a concrete strip having slots cut in its upper surface.

'cates with the bore Figure 2 is a diagram showing how joint sealing compound is placed in slots in concrete, in accordance with our invention.

Figure 3 is a plan view showing a preferred form of our invention.

Figure 4 is a front elevation.

Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional elevation taken substantially on the lines 5-5 as shown in Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a transverse sectional plan view taken substantially on the lines 6-6 as viewed in Figure 5.

Referring to the drawings:

The concrete strip or roadway, generally designated 10 may be provided with relatively narrow slots 11 in its upper surface. These slots extend transversely of the strip 10 and are spaced at regular intervals. As an example, the slots may be A to 7 wide and approximately 2" deep. In accordance with our invention we provide a portable device, generally designated 12, which carries a discharge nozzle 13 shaped to fit into the narrow slots 11.. The device 12 is caused to move transversely of the roadway or air strip 10 to permit the nozzle 13 to travel along the slot 11. Sealing compound 14 discharged by the nozzle fills the slot 11 in the manner shown best in Figure 2. The device 12 may be mounted on a mobile frame or any other suitable means, not shown.

The body 15 is provided with a longitudinal cylindrical bore 16 which is normally closed at one end by means of a removable plug 17. At the other end of the bore 16, threads 18 are provided to receive corresponding threads on the nozzle member 13. The nozzle 13 has a flange 19 which abuts one end of the body 15. The cylindrical bore 16 and the interior of the nozzle 13 are in open communication.

Means are provided for introducing a first material laterally into the bore 16 and, as shown in the drawings, this means includes the primary valve unit, generally designated 20. This valve unit includes a transverse bore 21 provided in the body and terminating in a frustroconical bore 22 intersecting the cylindrical bore 16. Threads 23 are provided in the body near the upper end of the bore 21 for reception of the annular plug or gland 24. A seal ring 25 is provided to prevent leakage between the body 15 and the gland 24. A primary valve element 26 includes a valve head 27 and an integral valve stem 28. This valve stem 28 extends through the interior of the gland 24 and is provided with threads 29 on its upper end. Packing means 30 are provided to prevent leakage between the stationary gland 24 and the sliding valve stem 28.

The valve head 27 has a frusto-conical 31 adapted .to seat against the surface diameter of the valve 27 is the bore 21. the valve head 22. The outer 27 provide clearance space for passage of material. A coilspring 33 encircles a portionof the valve seat 22. A lateral opening 34 in the body15' communi- 21 at a'location between the valve head 27 and the stationary gland 24. Threads 35 are provided for connecting a pipe to the body 15 in communication with the lateral opening 34.

A secondary valve unit36 includes a transverse bore3i7 provided in the;.body 15.. The'lowe'r end of this bore sealing surface guided for axial movement by A series of axially extending slots 32 in 37 communicates laterally with the main cylindrical bore 16 by way of a very small opening 38. Threads 39 are provided in the body near the upper end of the bore 37 for reception of the annular plug :or gland 40. A- seal ring 41 is provided to prevent leakage between the body 15 and the gland 40. A secondary valve element 42 includes a needle valve head 43 and an integral valve stem 44. This valve stem 44 extends through the interior of the gland 40 and is provided with threads 45 on its upper end. Packing means 46 are provided to prevent leakage between the stationary gland 40 and the sliding valve stem 44. A guide flange 47 is formed integrally with the valve stem 44 and is slidably received by the transverse bore 37. Axially extending flow passages 48 are provided in the guide flange 47. An entrance opening 49 communicates with the transverse bore 37 at a location between the flange 47 and the gland 40. A threaded connection fitting 50 communicates with this entrance opening 49. A coil spring 51 enircles a portion of the valve stem 44 and extends between the flange 47 and the stationary gland 40. The spring acts to move the valve element in a direction to seat the needle valve head 43 within the opening 38.

A threaded collar 52 is mounted on the threaded end 29 of the primary valve stem 28. This collar 52 is provided with a flange 53 at its upper end. A lock nut 54 serves to secure the collar 52 with respect to the. valve stem 28. In a similar manner a threaded collar 55 is mounted on the upper threaded end 45 of the valve stem 44 and is provided with a flange 56 at its upper end. A.

lock nut 57 acts to secure the collar 55 relative to the valve stem 44.

Means are provided for simultaneously opening the valve units 20 and 36. As shown in the drawings, this means includes a lever 58 which is pivotally supported by pin 59. The pin 59 is carried on the upper end of the post 60 secured to the body. 15. Apertures 61 and 62 on the lever 58 provide clearance respectively for the threaded collars 52 and 55. The lever may be notched on its upper surface, as shown at 63 and 64, for contact with the underside of the flanges 53 and 56 respectively. When the lever 58 is swung in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 5, the notched surface 63 first engages the flange 53 on the collar 52 and thereby raises the valve stem 28. The valve head 27 is thereby raised away from the conical seat22 allowing flow of material to take place under pressure through the slots 32 and into the main cylindrical bore 16. Continued clockwise movement of the lever 58 serves further to open the primary valve unit 20 and also serves to open the secondary valve unit 36. The notched surface 64 engages the underside of the flange 56 and thereby raises the collar 55 and valve element. The needle valve head 43 is lifted away from the small opening 38 to allow jetting action of liquid from the bore 37 into the main cylindrical bore 16. The lever 58 may be moved clockwise until both valve units 20 and 36 are fully open, thereby producing a maximum rate of discharge through the nozzle element.

Assuming that an asphalt-latex emulsion (water base) is introduced under pressure into the opening 34 and assuming that an emulsion-breaking agent such as sodium silico fluoride is admitted under pressure through the side entrance fitting 50 the emulsion will begin to break at the point where the emulsion-breaking liquid enters the main cylindrical bore 16 through the small opening 38. Continued mixing of the emulsion-breaking agent takes place as the mixture passes into the very narrow slot-like opening in the nozzle 13. Soon after issuing from the nozzle 13 into the slot 11 in the concrete 10, the mixture is transformed from a liquid to a semi-plastic material having a rubber-like consistency. The device 12 including the body 15 and nozzle 13 is moved along the slot 11 as the material issues from the-nozzle 13. When the end of the slot 11 is reached the lever 58 is moved in a counter-clockwise direction as viewed in Figure thereby closing the valve units 20 and 36. If any considerable length of time is to elapse before extruding sealing compound into another slot 11 the operator moves the lever 58 to a position which opens only the primary valve unit 20 but which permits the secondary valve unit 36 to remain closed. The liquid emulsion from the opening 34 then flushes out all material which has been treated with the emulsion-breaking liquid from the entrance opening 49. This procedure avoids the clogging of the nozzle 13 by reason of hardening of the joint sealing compound therein.

The proportion of emulsion liquid to emulsion-breaking liquid may be varied and regulated as desired by chang ing the position of the collars 52 and 55 with relation to their respective valve stems 28 and 44. The total quantity of mixture extruded through the nozzle 13 may be controlled by the extent of movement of the lever 58.

We have found it desirable to hard chrome plate the outer surface of the nozzle 13 in order to minimize wear. Although we have shown and described only two valve units on the body, it will be understood that additional valve units may be provided if more than two component liquid materials are to be mixed. Furthermore, it will be understood that the example of liquid materials given above are by way of illustration only.

Having fully described our invention it is to be understood that we do not wish to be limited to the details herein set forth, but our invention is of the full scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A mixing and metering valve for mobile materials which, when mixed, react and set into a relatively solid product, comprising: a valve body having a mixing cavity and tandemly disposed laterally extending valve cavities intersecting the mixing cavity, respectively through major and minor valve ports and inlets communicating with said valve cavities; a discharge nozzle communicating with the end of said mixing cavity nearest said minor valve cavity port; a major and minor valve reciprocably mounted in said major and minor valve cavities, respectively, and having stems protruding from said body; a lever fulcrumed at one end' to said body and extending across said valve stems, the valve stem of the minor valve being nearest the fulcrum of said lever; means on said valve stem for engagement by said lever whereby said lever is operable to move said valves simultaneously, and said major valve a proportionally greater amount than said minor valve; said'minor valve arranged to have a lost motion connection with said lever whereby said major valve opens ahead of said minor valve, to flush said mixing chamber and nozzle free of the reacting material delivered by the minor valve.

2. A mixing and metering valve assembly, comprising: a flat valve body having a bore extending longitudinally therethrough; a removable plug closing one end of the bore; a removable nozzle closing the other end of said bore, whereby on removal of said plug and nozzle said bore may be cleaned, said bore forming a mixing cavity; said body also having tandemly disposed major and minor valve cavities terminating in valve ports communicating with said mixing cavity at one side thereof; a major and minor valve reciprocably mounted in said major and minor valve cavities, respectively, and having stems protruding from said body; a lever fulcrumed at one end to said body and extending across said valve stems, the valve stem'of the minor valve being nearest the fulcrum of said lever; means on said valve stem for engagement by said lever whereby said lever is operable to move said valves simultaneously, and said major valve a proportionally greater amount than said minor valve; and a discharge nozzle communicating with said mixing cavity.

3. A mixing and metering valve for mobile materials which, when mixed, react and set into a relatively solid product, comprising: a flat valve body having a bore extending longitudinally therethrough; a removable plug closing one end of the bore; a removable nozzle closing the other end of said bore, whereby on removal of said plug and nozzle said bore may be cleaned, said bore forming a mixing cavity; said body also having tandemly disposed major and minor valve cavities terminating in valve ports communicating with said mixing cavity at one side thereof; a major and minor valve reciprocably mounted in said major and minor valve cavities, respectively, and having stems protruding from said body; a 10 lever fulcrumed at one end to said body and extending across said valve stems, the valve stem of the minor valve being nearest the fulcrum of said lever; means on said valve stem for engagement by said lever whereby said lever is operable to move said valves simultaneously, and

6 said major valve a proportionally greater amount than said minor valve; said minor valve arranged to have a lost motion connection with said lever whereby said major valve opens ahead of said minor valve, to flush said mixing chamber and nozzle free of the reacting material delivered by the minor valve.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 667,301 Dredge Feb. 5, 1910 956,860 Lawler May 8, 1910 1,232,510 Derrick et al July 10, 1917 1,268,232 Furman June 5, 1918 

